By Rabbi Ben Kamin SAN DIEGO — The soil of the graveyard tenders new meaning to the living, especially when men stand over the bones of their fathers. In Israel recently, I found a new and deeper affinity with my cousin, Amir. Effusive, kind-hearted, and carrying the mantle of young patriarch, Amir strongly resembles his […]
Gravesite reflections on two Israeli sons Read More »
Travel and Food
By Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM — What we’ve surmised for a long time is now official: though the monies collected in the United States for Israel have doubled in the last 20 years (now about $2.1 billion annually), the traditional recipients (the Jewish Agency, the Jewish National Fund, the World Zionist Organization, etc.) have decreased
Americans increasingly picking their own charities in Israel Read More »
Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — There are some among my readers who will view my ‘modest proposal’ as the same kind of ungodly satire as an earlier effort by that name. Almost 400 years ago Jonathan Swift published his Modest Proposal to deal with the problem of overcrowding and starvation among the Irish according to
Present lines, not those of 1967, should be basis of negotiations Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle East
By Carol Davis VISTA, California — James Sherman’s 1989 family comedy “Beau Jest” closes out the winter season at Moonlight’s indoor theatre, The Avo. It is just what the doctor ordered for a-laugh-a minute Jewish infused play sprinkled with a bit of good old-fashioned ‘common sense’ (if you will) and a cast up to the
‘Beau Jest,’ jest an ‘old fashioned love story’ Read More »
Carol Davis, San Diego County, Theatre, Film & BroadcastBy Chava Sandler JERUSALEM — My heart is broken. I am unable to speak. There are no ways for me to be able to express the great and all-consuming pain resulting from the murder of my dear husband Rabbi Jonathan and our sons, Aryeh and Gavriel, and of Miriam Monsonego, daughter of the dedicated principal
Widow and mother of Toulouse victims speaks out Read More »
Middle EastBy Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO –The former regional director of the Anti-Defamation League gives Parade, the musical about the lynching of Leo Frank in Georgia, generally high marks for portraying how anti-Semitism can poison the justice system, although he said there were a number of historical inaccuracies that are perhaps to be expected in
Former ADL chief cites historical inaccuracies of ‘Parade’ Read More »
Donald H. HarrisonSAN DIEGO (Press Release)– The resignation of Steven Morris as president and CEO of the Jewish Federation of San Diego was announced yesterday by Claire Ellman, board chair. In a letter to the San Diego Jewish community, she wrote: “I am writing to inform you that Steven J. Morris, President and CEO of Federation, has
Morris quits as Jewish Federation CEO; Sonduck named as interim; search committee formed Read More »
San Diego Calendar
By Rabbi Baruch Lederman SAN DIEGO–The word Korbon (offering) comes from the word karov (close). When we bring offerings to the temple, it brings us closer to Hashem. The korbonos have many seemingly daunting details; but we can never lose sight of the big picture. The korbonos offer us an intensity of closeness that is
God’s gifts must be understood to be utilized Read More »
Jewish ReligionBy Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM — The tragedy inToulouse has received much attention throughout the world. As carefully as thoughtful observers may read the expressions of sympathy and support, especially by French politicians, they’re also aware that what’s being said and written must be understood in the context of the forthcoming presidential elections inFrance. That’s
Murders in Toulouse prompts debate over safety in Diaspora Read More »
Middle East
By Shoshana Bryen WASHINGTON, D.C. — It was, it appears, a Muslim radical behind the massacre in Toulouse — a French-born petty thief who traveled in Afghanistan and Pakistan and was already under surveillance by French authorities. It was not, as first thought, French neo-Nazis. To which the question arises, “Does it matter which?” Yes,
“Yes, but’ seems to be French reaction to killing of Jews Read More »
International, Shoshana BryenBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM– In the profound lack of certainty and the possibility of dire consequences concerned with Iran’s nuclear program, it is possible to conceive of a scenario that is less than perfect, but way short of catastrophic. Let’s start with some basics. In politics, it is generally impossible to achieve ideal solutions for
Constraints on North Korea may be model for Iran Read More »
International, Ira SharkanskyBy Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM–It’s being said that Facebook and its siblings are changing the world by giving vox populi a new meaning. The Arab Spring, the calls for social reforms in Israel last year, the Occupy Movement soon thereafter are cited as examples. The latest is an initiative by an Israeli couple that put
Facebook diplomacy seeks Israel-Iran friendship Read More »
Middle East
LA JOLLA, California (Press Release)– Hadassah’s centennial in the San Diego area was celebrated at a special Shabbat service on Friday, Feb. 24, at Congregation Beth El. Highlights of Hadassah’s achievements through each decade were shared with the congregation, including more than half of Israel’s hospital medical research and the rescue of thousands of children
Hadassah celebrates a century in San Diego Read More »
Jewish History
By David Amos SAN DIEGO — One of the most exciting aspects of being an orchestral conductor is to choose the music to be presented for a particular concert, or season. And for me, the upcoming two programs were very satisfying to prepare, because it brought together four works of music that not only strongly
Composers aren’t all Jewish, but concert’s music definitely is Read More »
Travel and Food